Patient transport to hospital hit by virus

North East NHS chiefs have announced they are stepping up plans to help cope with expected increases in coronavirus cases including among frontline staff.

As from yesterday, nonurgent patient transport services to hospital appointments and clinics will be suspended by the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) until further notice.

And health bosses will begin to postpone non-urgent planned operations and outpatient appointments to help hospitals prepare for expected increases in admissions due to the pandemic.

The move is also due to help them function as they expect a number of NHS frontline staff including ambulance workers are expected to contract coronavirus and will have to self-isolate.

The NHS says hospitals are discharging more patients well enough to return home to free up the maximum number of inpatient and critical care beds in the region.

Barry Dews, strategic head of operations at NEAS, said: “We also anticipate that as the virus spreads, some of our own staff will become infected and need to selfisolate at home.

“By removing the routine burdens now, we are better placed to support critically-ill patients as well as our own workforce when they start to become affected in this national emergency.”

A limited transport service will continue for patients needing dialysis; chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other cancer treatment at 21 essential clinics. Patients can contact NEAS on 0300 1110247.